Aston Villa maintained their perfect start in the Champions League as Unai Emery’s side secured a comfortable 3-1 victory against Norwegian outfit Viking at Villa Park.

The result marks a fifth win in six matches across all competitions for Villa, who have recovered impressively from a difficult opening to the campaign to move up to second place in the Champions League standings after three fixtures.

Viking had produced a remarkable 3-3 draw with German champions Bayern Munich last week, but they were unable to replicate those heroics in the Midlands, just seven days after Villa had routed Fenerbahce 6-0.

Ross Barkley opened the scoring with a header - his third goal of the competition already - before Emi Buendia extended the lead from the penalty spot and an own goal from Henrik Heggheim made the points secure.

Villa had been sitting top of the overall table until Peter Christiansen netted an 84th-minute goal for the visitors, rewarding Viking for an improved second-half display while denying the hosts a third consecutive clean sheet.

Viking goalkeeper Arild Ostbo faced an early workload, turning away two Nicolas Jackson headers inside the opening 10 minutes.

The Norwegian side initially held their own but were nearly caught out when Joao Gomes’ deflected cross struck the crossbar.

Villa’s opener had been coming, and following a period of sustained pressure, Ibrahim Mbaye’s precise corner found the run of Barkley, who flicked a header past Ostbo.

The Premier League team began to flex their superiority and almost doubled their lead, but Mbaye was stopped by Ostbo and Buendia was unable to convert the rebound.

Ostbo then saved a free header from Buendia, but the Argentine was not to be denied. Referee Sebastian Gishamer initially failed to spot Zlatko Tripic’s foul on Alysson inside the box, but halted play a minute later following a VAR review and pointed to the spot, where Buendia coolly slotted home.

Zion Suzuki had his first action of the night in the 49th minute, catching a long-range strike from Tobias Moi as Viking made a bright start to the second period.

Villa pressed for further goals, with Buendia’s goalbound back-heel saved by Ostbo and Alysson dragging wide when one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

Viking continued to fight and Suzuki was kept busy, but Villa made the result safe with a third goal just after the hour mark. Alysson, who caused problems for Viking throughout the night, sent a cross into the box that deflected off Heggheim and into the net.

Viking gave Villa something to think about six minutes from time when Kristoffer Askildsen’s cross was ferociously volleyed home by Christiansen.